Can a Turbocharger Be Converted to a Supercharger?
3 Answers
It is possible to convert a turbocharger to a supercharger, but this modification will consume some of the engine's power. Below is an introduction to turbochargers and superchargers: 1. Turbocharger: A centrifugal compressor and a turbine are combined into a single unit, known as a turbocharger. The main difference between this and a gas turbine is that the turbocharger does not have a combustion chamber or its corresponding system. The turbine operates using the exhaust energy from a reciprocating internal combustion engine, and the compressed air provided by the centrifugal compressor serves as the charge for the reciprocating internal combustion engine. In a turbocharger, the compressor impeller and the turbine are mounted on the same rotating shaft, known as the rotor. Other components, such as seals and thrust washers, are also mounted on the same rotor shaft and rotate together. 2. Supercharger: A supercharger addresses the issue of reduced intake efficiency in naturally aspirated engines at high RPMs by focusing on the fundamental aspect of increasing the air pressure in the intake manifold to overcome valve interference resistance. Although the dimensions of the intake manifold, valves, and camshaft remain unchanged, the increased intake pressure allows more air to be forced into the combustion chamber during each valve opening period. Consequently, the fuel injection quantity can also be increased, resulting in greater engine performance compared to before the supercharging.
I've seen quite a few modification cases. It's not impossible to switch from turbocharging to supercharging, but it's quite a hassle. As a car enthusiast, I've attempted similar modifications—that time was to pursue the instant acceleration feel of a supercharger. For the modification, you'll need a whole new supercharger, drive belt assembly, and also have to reconfigure the engine control system. It's not just expensive—the whole setup costs at least five to six thousand, but also time-consuming. The result? My car did respond a bit faster, but engine overheating issues became frequent, and fuel consumption went up. Later, I found out through research that turbos are more efficient as they're driven by exhaust gases, while superchargers are directly linked to the engine, increasing the load and easily damaging parts. I suggest you first evaluate your budget, get a full diagnosis from a professional shop, and conduct regular checks after modification—otherwise, the gains might not be worth the losses.
Having played with cars for decades and helped others with forced induction system modifications, I can say that switching from turbo to supercharging is doable but not cost-effective. In practice, you'll need to replace original parts, install a supercharger and drive belt, and recalibrate ECU parameters for proper matching. Common issues post-modification include increased noise, heightened engine vibration, and in some cases, even engine seizure. I recall one job where a client spent a fortune converting to supercharging for its low-RPM performance, only to face reduced reliability—three workshop visits within six months. Overall, turbocharging is more suitable for daily drivers with simpler maintenance, while supercharging is costly and prone to issues. If you're determined to proceed, budget extra for parts and monitor engine health closely.
